The
Pratt Institute in New York City's Brooklyn Borough is a private university devoted to engineering and design. Naturally, fashion is part of that. With programs related to fashion design and fashion communication, this school will help you craft a keen eye for style. Not to mention provide you with the necessary technical skills to succeed in the industry. Here, you can train to be a designer, creative director, fashion editor, and more. Though its fashion programs are admittedly limited, they will still open various avenues for you to craft a career in the industry.
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History of The Pratt Institute
Businessman and oil tycoon Charles Pratt founded the school in 1887. As an advocate of education, he wanted to provide opportunities for working men and women to improve their livelihoods, especially since Pratt never got to attend college himself. As such, he established the Pratt Institute as an affordable college for middle to low classes. As early as 1884, he started purchasing land in Clinton Hill in the Brooklyn
Borough of New York City, his own hometown. Upon its founding, it didn't take long for the school to expand, eventually welcoming nearly 4,000 students in its early years. By 1938, the institute started granting Bachelor's Degrees and transformed into the technical school it is today.
What Does The Pratt Institute Look Like?
With its brick pre-war buildings and expansive greenery, the Pratt Institute looks like the typical prestigious college in the US. Aesthetics-wise, the college has more similarities with Ivy League schools than the building-heavy institutions in New York City. With a massive campus on offer, students of the Pratt Institute can enjoy a fairly peaceful college life. Clinton Hill, where the campus is located, is best known for its relatively chill vibe and historic appeal. The place is a far cry from the daily hustle and bustle in Manhattan and other
neighborhoods in New York City.
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The Pratt Institute Student Body
With a diverse range of courses on offer, it makes sense that the Pratt Institute has a bigger student body compared to other
fashion schools in New York City. The college welcomes around 4,000 to 5,000 enrollees per year, spread throughout its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. They also make up both new entrants and returning students who have yet to graduate. As for its international students, the number also varies every year, though it's often around 1,000 to 1,500. This also proves that the Pratt Institute draws in as many foreign applicants as the other more famous schools.
Pratt Institute's Best Programs and Courses
Admittedly, the Pratt Institute's fashion program is more limited compared to what the world's other fashion schools offer. Its main course, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, teaches and trains students in the craft. Its meticulous curriculum can almost rival those in FIT or Parsons. As for its postgraduate program, there's the Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Collection + Communication. It's a more business-leaning course that gives opportunities in fields like fashion journalism, fashion history, and the like.
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Pratt Institute’s Prerequisites
The Pratt Institute's prerequisites are simpler compared to other fashion schools. For the most part, you only need to submit a filled-up application form, a secondary educational diploma (for undergraduate programs)/ Bachelor's Degree in related fields (for postgraduate programs) a visual/writing portfolio, and a written essay. There's also the option of submitting your test scores, official transcripts from your previous schools, official GED scores, and letters of recommendation. As for international applicants, you’ll also need a passing score on your English proficiency test. Do take note that all of these should be the most recent (i.e. works in portfolio, test scores, etc.).
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The Pratt Institute?
As expected, enrolling in the Pratt Institute will cost you a ton of money. Its tuition fee alone is often around $57,599.00 per year. That's on top of the application/enrollment fees, application fees for your student visa, finding accommodations, and your day-to-day
living costs in New York City. The latter tends to be high too, commonly about $1,670.00 per month on top of rent for a single adult. You can still seek financial aid, but that will come with its own set of prerequisites that are also stricter than the general requirements.
Where is The Pratt Institute in New York City?
The Pratt Institute is located on Clinton Hill in Brooklyn, New York. It's one of the very few higher educational institutions in the Brooklyn borough that offer a fashion program. As already mentioned, Clinton Hill is a beloved district known for its less hectic vibes and historic appeal. It's still lively in its own right, but it's far less busy compared to the central districts in Manhattan. Clinton Hill is also fairly residential, making it a great place for you to
rent a luxury apartment in New York City.
Source: Pratt Institute Facebook Page
Pratt Institute is one of the best places to start your fashion career. Teaching design, business, and everything in between, the Brooklyn-based institution has earned its place as one of the best fashion schools in New York City.
